I know, I know. This is just another book about inequality and brokenness in America, right? Wrong. Yes, we do see recurring themes and points as in other books like American Bootstraps and $2 a Day, but we have more information from the professionals and activists who lived the struggle and are trying to help others, or people who keep trying to claw their way out of the gigantic pit that the obvious (and not so obvious) moves by corporations, politicians, and voters have put them in. We also have clear, actionable items at the end of each topic. And they’re not difficult items, so you don’t have to already be in a position to make massive changes. This book shows that the small steps by individuals can make all the difference, especially if enough individuals speak up or engage.

I especially liked how this book went into the sub-prime car loan scam. I’ve long since known about the practices of these Ugly Duckling (or Drive Time now) type of dealerships that churn out cars with serious problems, collect some payments, repossess the car or leave the customer paying on a car they no longer have due to massive engine failure, resell if repo’d, repeat. The problem is that when someone can’t qualify for a loan from anywhere else, they’re stuck. Just like with renting subpar housing. Or working multiple low-wage jobs to try to get by. It’s a vicious cycle and this books perfectly lays out how it starts, how to break it, and just how difficult it is to break it, even temporarily.

While I realize that some may not want to read this because “it’s depressing”, I thinks it’s a must-read because of that. It’s reality for so many Americans and we need to remember that this country is failing such a large portion of its people that something needs to be done. And again, it doesn’t always have to be something huge. Just small actions or deeds could make all the difference for the neighbor you didn’t know is struggling to feed their children or the community you drive past and ignore on the way to Whole Foods.

This book is so different from other poverty finance books out there. I have read my fair share of them, and this book is far and away better. At the end of each chapter the authors describe actionable steps that an average person can take to help the poor, those in poverty, and those that are struggling.
I loved that. It really made me start to think about ways in which I could do something in my community.
I love the research and the time and the care that went into this book.
Its well researched and has a great flow.
One of the best books on poverty and finance that I have read in a long time.